If you live in a "mobilehome park" (including many trailer parks) there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that you are vulnerable to far more financial loss than an apartment tenant. The good news is that the California Legislature has enacted a special set of laws to protect you, known as the Mobilehome Residency Law ["MRL".]  The MRL has many features of rent control, such as eviction protection, and many special rights not available to the more traditional residential tenants.  You have all of the rights which the traditional tenant does PLUS these special rights.  The MRL is in the California Civil Code Section 798 series. Its protections have also been extended to many Recreational Vehicle Park residents.

Take a look at it.  Bookmark it.  You might want to print it out.
This link is through the organization that made it happen,  the Golden State Mobilehome Owners' League ["GSMOL"].  They can be reached at: (714) 826-4071  and their website:  http://www.gsmol.org  .	Click the pic for the MRL

     Don't try to memorize everything. The main point is that you have plenty of laws to help you, and you can look through them to see what applies to your situation.  You will note that part of the law [Civil Code 798.15(c)] requires that a copy of the MRL be attached to your rental agreement. You are supposed to have this law in your possession, already. Chances are, this is all new to you, and your park owner has not done much of anything right.

    A few of the highlights in the MRL are that you can only be evicted for certain limited reasons, and that special notices have to be given. You can form a homeowner association to bargain with the park owners over park rules. The park owner cannot unreasonably interfere with your sale of the mobilehome. There are "senior citizen" parks to preserve a calm environment for the retired set (theoretically).  Even some trailer occupants can enjoy these rights, under the right circumstances.

Trailers and Trailer Parks
    If you have lived in a trailer park at least 9 months, or have a trailer in a park that has at least two mobilehomes [10' wide or greater], you have many of the rights that mobilehome owners do, such a eviction protections. They are contained in the Recreational Vehicle Occupancy Law, Civil Code 799.20 et seq.  

Back to Home Page                         Contact Ken Carlson

last updated 6/12/12